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Catalogue Description: Constructed from a single piece of recycled buffalo hide, formerly painted, these side seam moccasins retain some of the design known as "box and border," in particular one of the terminal parts of the "box" pattern on the painted soles. The painting may have been scraped off the piece of the skin that forms the upper section.
The decoration of the vamp is primarily bird quills. These "U" shaped sections of the moccasins are made up of concentric parallel lines. The bottom of the "U", nearer the toe, is composed of three yellow bands, alternating with orange. The upper part of the"U" is physically continuous with this, but is delineated by an abrupt change in color. Alternating rectangles of brown and blue make up the parallel, shorter bands in this section. Thin rows of yellow, orange, and black porcupine quill cover the side seam. Blue pony beads adorn the edge of the tongue and cuff. The laces are ornamented at the tips with tin cones stuffed with red deer hair. All the sewing is done with sinew. See Jarvis supplemental file in Arts of Americas' office.

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Recent Comments

17:19 12/20/2010

Accession Number: 50.67.23a-bSide seam moccasins made from a recycled "box & border bison robe. May have have wool intact at first since the epidermis is still intact on the inside of the moccasins.

Would it be possible to have a color image of the bottoms of both mocs and a view of the rear seam?

By Billy Maxwell

17:33 12/20/2010

Dear Mr. Marshall,

Unfortunately we will not be able to take photographs as you have requested of those particular views.If there is a particular aspect you would like us to review for you we are happy to do so.

By SKZeller

15:45 12/21/2010

Hi Billy,I'm casting around to see if we have any other existing photography -- I'll be in touch via email about what I find. These mocassins are in an upcoming show, so they're not available for a new shoot at the moment. You'll be able to see them in person if you come to Tipi: Heritage of the Great Plains, opening in February (http://bit.ly/hlB741).Deb WytheDigital Lab

Billy - The moccasins do indeed have remnants of fur on the recycled bison robe portion of the footwear. The exterior of the moccasin appears to be the flesh side. Hope you are able to come and see the exhibition. Lisa Bruno Objects Conservator

By Lisas Bruno

19:00 12/21/2010

I would be a wonderful twist in your exhibit todigitally layout the known box and border andspeculate the rest of the robe based on the usual layouts. I thank you all and all the members of PlainsIndianSeminartwo (YahooGroups) look forward to your exhibit!

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